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Flowing into a new year
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Working in partnership with communities to conserve and protect the Appomattox River for all to enjoy
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along the Appomattox River
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ALONG THE RIVER WITH FOLAR
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Remarkable regional support of the Appomattox River Trail!
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED ... hereby supports the Appomattox River Trail Master Plan and Signage Plan and commends the visionary approach of past planning efforts.
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Heather Barrar with
FOLAR Board members from Colonial Heights, Eloise Ward, (Ret.) and current board member Betty Estes.
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The above commitment is expressed in each of the resolutions FOLAR has received from the six localities in our service district - the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George and the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell - as well as letters of support from major partners like the Crater Planning District Commission, Fort Lee, Virginia State University, the National Park Service and the Gateway Region Economic Development Organization. FOLAR worked with the leadership of each of these jurisdictions and organizations through the year to craft the resolution or letter of support stating the significance of the Appomattox River to our region and supporting the implementation of the Appomattox River Trail Master Plan. These documents were presented to the governing bodies, voted upon and placed in the official record.
FOLAR has served in the role of championing and strengthening the region's vision for the Appomattox River and the Appomattox River Trail for 20 years. The signatures on each of the resolutions are the commitment to that regional vision - where the Appomattox River is protected and enjoyed by everyone, where communities are connected by a trail along the river and everyone can safely bike or walk, and where the river and trail bring opportunities for prosperity and wellness. FOLAR is committed to making this vision a reality in partnership our communities and partners. You can show your commitment by making a donation to FOLAR and becoming a member. Learn more
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Automatic trail counters installed along the ART!
The same type of professional equipment used by the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County will now provide reliable data about the use of the Appomattox River Trail (ART). FOLAR has installed automated infrared trail counters along the ART in five different parks with the help of FOLAR member volunteers and Parks & Recreation staff from all six trail route jurisdictions. The volunteers devoted many hours to building, calibrating, testing, and installing the counters. Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation staff assisted with preparing for the installation and all jurisdictions helped with locating the counters. The equipment was purchased through funding from the Crater Health District of the Virginia Department of Health.
FOLAR and partners will use automated trail count data combined with bi-annual volunteer count data (See story below) to provide metrics-based evaluation of trail benefits such as economic growth, improved health, environmental stewardship. The data will also inform
decisions on an array of important issues such as the
need for new or improved trail sections, ideal location of future connections, and the amount of maintenance that FOLAR and jurisdictional partners should anticipate for trails now and in the future.
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Volunteer Counts show increasing use of trail
For the second year, FOLAR has organized volunteers to count regional use of the Appomattox River Trail using nationally standardized survey and recording methods. The data collected provides insights around demand, usage and opportunities within the regional trail system. The results are integral to securing funds to build, connect and enhance trails. "The counts help us to see what trails will have the most use and can inform planning, design and budget decisions," said Wendy Austin, FOLAR Executive Director.
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Scholarship Applications Open
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The John Randolph Foundation offers numerous different scholarships to local students. |
FOLAR and the John Randolph Foundation encourage students in pursuit of post-secondary education to complete the Foundation's online application to apply for scholarships. FOLAR offers the FOLAR Environmental Stewardship Scholarship through the Foundation. Online scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 academic year will be accepted through 4 p.m. February 15, 2019.
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FOLAR provides learning, recreation, conservation, and fun!
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Starting line of the 12TH Paddle-or-Battle. Photo by Larry Tipton.
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20th Anniversary James River Advisory Council Clean-up - FOLAR hosted 2 sites, 75+ volunteers, and picked up 80 bags of trash from the Appomattox
Volunteer Fall Trail Counts - 2 shifts on 2 days at 6 sites - 16 volunteers. Try it - it's fun!
John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament: FOLAR had a winning team that included David Simpson,Wells Fargo Advisors; Phil O'Neal, SyCom; and captained by board member, Mike Golden! They're participation supported funding for the FOLAR Environment Stewardship Scholarship.
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Students readying for Canomobile |
12TH Annual Paddle-or-Battle - 80 boats on the Appomattox River for a day of paddling between Hopewell and Petersburg. Great support from Hopewell Rec & Parks.
Canoemobile - 2 days; 3 Elementary Schools; 300 students; 6 partners: National Parks Conservation Association, Petersburg National Battlefield, Hopewell Public Schools with the Virginia American Water Company and Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and t
he First Baptist Church of Hopewell.
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Volunteers
have been the strength of FOLAR throughout our history delivering amazing results all along the Lower Appomattox River. From building trails, to river clean-ups, to delivering special events for enjoying the river, our volunteers embody the dedication, enthusiasm and care for our environment.
Learn how you can get involved! THANK YOU!
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FOLAR Honors Leaders And Celebrates Progress
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Wayne Walton, Denny Morris, Ken Newman, Richard Taylor (L to R)
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The recipients of the annual FOLAR COMMUNITY RIVER IMPACT AWARDS we're honored last month by the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR). The awards spotlight the important and complex realms of conservation, recreation, transportation, and public health by recognizing visionaries and advocates across a broad range of backgrounds who influence how, why, and what FOLAR's work impacts in our communities.
2019 Friends of the Lower Appomattox River Community River Impact Award recipients:
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Heather Barrar, Ken Newman, Omar Faison, and Tara Ciavarella (L to R)
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CHAIRMAN'S AWARD, Dennis Morris, Crater Planning District Commission; BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AWARD, Robert C. Walker and Nicholas Walker, Roslyn Farm Corporation; COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD, Dinwiddie County, Planning and Community Development; FRIEND OF FOLAR Award, Jimmy Dailey, Kimberly Samuels and Kenny Moore; FRIEND OF THE RIVER and TRAIL, Paul and Craig Reynolds; GOVERNMENT AGENCY AWARD, Prince George County; TRAIL BLAZER, City of Hopewell - Riverwalk and Riverside Park Trail; VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, Tara Ciavarella, Virginia State University student.
The recipients of the 2019 Major Contributors Appreciation Certificates were:
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Robert Walker (Nick's son), Nick Walker, Ken Newman, and Wendy Austin. (L to R)
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American Water Charitable Foundation; The Cameron Foundation - Dominion Charitable Foundation; John Randolph Foundation; and The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
The recipients of the large 2019 Corporate-Civic-Government Appreciation Certificates were: Appomattox River Soil & Water Conservation District; HCA John Randolph Medical Center; Petersburg Foundation; Prince George County; Roslyn Farms Corporation; Rotary Club of Petersburg; Sedona Taphouse; Vistra Energy; Vulcan Materials; and Westrock
CLICK HERE to see more event photos at the FOLAR Facebook Page..
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Please Help Protect the Appomattox River and grow the Appomattox River Trail
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MORE NEWS & NOTES of INTEREST
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When you shop with Amazon for the holidays, use
AmazonSmile
for your purchases. When you do, you'll be able to
select FOLAR
as your charity and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to support FOLAR's work to conserve and protect the beautiful Appomattox River! It's easy to participate. Just go to
www.amazonsmile.com
instead of www.amazon.com and use your same Amazon login information and password. You'll be prompted to select your favorite charity, FOLAR, we hope. It's simple, it's helpful and - it's EASY! Thank you for your support.
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STAY CONNECTED to FOLAR. Add us to your Social Network
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